BITS & PIECES

A polar puzzler about compasses

Published: Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, July 12, 2013 at 5:51 p.m.

Opposites attract, scientists tell us, and that applies to magnetism as well as a lot of other things.

When you hold a compass in front of you, the needle points to the Earth's magnetic North Pole, right? But the magnet's needle has a north pole and south pole, too. If the north facing needle is attracted by the Earth's opposite pole, does that not mean the Earth's supposed North Pole is, in actuality, a South Pole instead?

Hmmmm … do things like this bother you as much as they bother me? This is just a little question to help clear the cobwebs out of your mental machinery … offered here strictly as a public service, y'understand!

MARION MUSEUM: Ocala's Hoylene Thomas wants you to know you are invited by the Marion County Museum of History and Archaeology to a free presentation about "The Great Depression," by Joe Knetsch, historian and co-author of "Florida in the Great Depression: Desperation and Defiance."

The event includes the opening of the museum's Great Depression/World War II Exhibit. It will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday at Green Clover Hall, next door to the museum, at 307 SE 26th Terrace, in Ocala's McPherson Governmental Complex.

There will be book sales and signings, and refreshments, at the museum following the program.

For information call 236-5245 or 236-2790.

NEWS QUIZ: Summerfield's Jerry T. Corr wants you to test your knowledge of current events. You can do that by going to http://www.pewresearch.org/quiz/the-news-iq-quiz/

And don't worry, you won't have to tell us how well (or poorly) you did!

DOGS IN RESTAURANTS: We were talking about fido and food — or more specifically, non-service dogs in restaurants.

Marilyn Gartner, Ocala, wrote: "I love animals, but I have become very allergic to cats and dogs, so it is with great dismay that I see people with small dogs in the baskets of electric scooters in grocery stores as I have to use the scooters to shop. I have severe asthma and this could cause an attack. Plus, I guess I just do not like the idea of an animal and its blankets being in the basket that I put the food I eat in. One lady said her dog is a service dog because she takes it to nursing homes to cheer people up. It is not performing a physical service for her."

Marilyn, as I'm sure you know, a service dog is one that assists a disabled person, primarily the blind and visually-impaired, not one that cheers up nursing home residents. The lady you referred to could call the local health department to clear up her misunderstanding of the concept if she doesn't believe you.

INKY PAPERS: Ocala's Pat King wrote: "Every once in a while I catch myself looking at my hands after I've folded or smoothed the newspaper. I remember how my hands would be full of ink after reading the newspaper. I wonder how long ago that was. (I'm 76 years old now). Do you remember inky newspapers?"

Yes, Pat, I remember inky newspapers. In fact newspaper people used to be called ink-stained wretches long, long ago, and that was not without cause. I think the ink manufacturers finally found a recipe for a good dark ink that doesn't rub off onto fingers too badly. I certainly hope so anyway. I never liked inky fingers, especially when they belonged to me!

IRISH NAME?: Ocala's Rick Nelson wrote: "On a recent trip to Ireland, my wife and I visited a lovely town called Clifden on the west coast in county Galway. I thought it was interesting to note your surname on a couple of businesses and was wondering if you have any hidden relatives who are electricians or accountants. Perhaps your name is a popular Irish name."

Rick, the photos you included with your email show signs with Schley on them, but Schley is actually a German name. My maternal grandfather was born in Ireland, however, so I guess I could see some relevance in your photos.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you think Beautiful Marion County has enough golf courses, or too many?

Send comments to slyguy73@gmail.com and include your FULL name and town. This column appears each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and online at www.ocala.com.

<p>Opposites attract, scientists tell us, and that applies to magnetism as well as a lot of other things.</p><p>When you hold a compass in front of you, the needle points to the Earth's magnetic North Pole, right? But the magnet's needle has a north pole and south pole, too. If the north facing needle is attracted by the Earth's opposite pole, does that not mean the Earth's supposed North Pole is, in actuality, a South Pole instead?</p><p>Hmmmm … do things like this bother you as much as they bother me? This is just a little question to help clear the cobwebs out of your mental machinery … offered here strictly as a public service, y'understand!</p><p><b>MARION MUSEUM:</b> Ocala's <b>Hoylene Thomas</b> wants you to know you are invited by the Marion County Museum of History and Archaeology to a free presentation about "The Great Depression," by Joe Knetsch, historian and co-author of "Florida in the Great Depression: Desperation and Defiance."</p><p>The event includes the opening of the museum's Great Depression/World War II Exhibit. It will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday at Green Clover Hall, next door to the museum, at 307 SE 26th Terrace, in Ocala's McPherson Governmental Complex.</p><p>There will be book sales and signings, and refreshments, at the museum following the program.</p><p>For information call 236-5245 or 236-2790.</p><p><b>NEWS QUIZ:</b> Summerfield's <b>Jerry T. Corr</b> wants you to test your knowledge of current events. You can do that by going to http://www.pewresearch.org/quiz/the-news-iq-quiz/</p><p>And don't worry, you won't have to tell us how well (or poorly) you did!</p><p><b>DOGS IN RESTAURANTS:</b> We were talking about fido and food — or more specifically, non-service dogs in restaurants.</p><p><b>Marilyn Gartner</b>, Ocala, wrote: "I love animals, but I have become very allergic to cats and dogs, so it is with great dismay that I see people with small dogs in the baskets of electric scooters in grocery stores as I have to use the scooters to shop. I have severe asthma and this could cause an attack. Plus, I guess I just do not like the idea of an animal and its blankets being in the basket that I put the food I eat in. One lady said her dog is a service dog because she takes it to nursing homes to cheer people up. It is not performing a physical service for her."</p><p><i>Marilyn, as I'm sure you know, a service dog is one that assists a disabled person, primarily the blind and visually-impaired, not one that cheers up nursing home residents. The lady you referred to could call the local health department to clear up her misunderstanding of the concept if she doesn't believe you.</i></p><p><b>INKY PAPERS:</b> Ocala's <b>Pat King</b> wrote: "Every once in a while I catch myself looking at my hands after I've folded or smoothed the newspaper. I remember how my hands would be full of ink after reading the newspaper. I wonder how long ago that was. (I'm 76 years old now). Do you remember inky newspapers?"</p><p><i>Yes, Pat, I remember inky newspapers. In fact newspaper people used to be called ink-stained wretches long, long ago, and that was not without cause. I think the ink manufacturers finally found a recipe for a good dark ink that doesn't rub off onto fingers too badly. I certainly hope so anyway. I never liked inky fingers, especially when they belonged to me!</i></p><p><b>IRISH NAME?:</b> Ocala's <b>Rick Nelson</b> wrote: "On a recent trip to Ireland, my wife and I visited a lovely town called Clifden on the west coast in county Galway. I thought it was interesting to note your surname on a couple of businesses and was wondering if you have any hidden relatives who are electricians or accountants. Perhaps your name is a popular Irish name."</p><p><i>Rick, the photos you included with your email show signs with Schley on them, but Schley is actually a German name. My maternal grandfather was born in Ireland, however, so I guess I could see some relevance in your photos.</i></p><p><b>QUESTION OF THE DAY:</b> Do you think <i>Beautiful Marion County</i> has enough golf courses, or too many?</p><p><I>Send comments to slyguy73@gmail.com and include your FULL name and town. This column appears each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and online at www.ocala.com.</i></p>